Born in Scotland, Sir George Harvey studied at Trustees' Academy in Edinburgh under Sir William Allan. In 1826 he was elected as an Associate of the Royal Scottish Academy and a Member in 1829. His paintings cover a broad range of subject matter ranging from genre, to landscape and patriotic scenes of Scottish history. The latter appealed greatly to the taste of the day and it was though these narrative depictions of daily life that he established his reputation.

School Examination is a fine example of Harvey's spontaneous rendering of the everyday lives of Scottish people. Our viewing of the classroom scene is direct and we are unobserved by all except one child, suggesting a naturalistic, uncontrived encounter with the lives of these children within the classroom. Owing to his use of bitumen many of his works are now obscured. However School Examination painted in oils remains in perfect condition, allowing both a study of his bold, fast brush work and also an undisturbed encounter with his powerful overall effects.

Eventually, in 1867 Sir John Harvey was knighted; a testimony to his life's work and great reputation.